31 May 2023         News

Welcome to Angela Hughes who has joined the Finance Team based in Derby. Angela will be working along side Daniel and Charley as a purchase ledger clerk. 

Angela brings a wealth of experience in the world of finance, most recently working as a credit controller in a local veterinary hospital. Before embarking on a financial career, Angela explored a diverse professional path including working as a singing teacher, car salesperson and teacher of costume, which she delivered to further and higher education drama students. 

A warm welcome to the Develop family

Angela said, “Everyone at Develop has been so kind and welcoming. Daniel has been supportive and patient whilst I learn the Develop systems and processes. And having spent my first week in Derby, I got to enjoy the most amazing, cooked lunches from Tracey in the on-site canteen!”

It’s not all work and no play for Angela

Outside of work Angela enjoys singing, cycling and spending her free time helping at her local repair café – this is a place where people who are determined not to throw away their belongings try to repair them. She is also teaching her 18-year-old son to drive! 

Welcome to the team Angela – it is great to have you aboard! 

More about Develop’s Derby training centre

Did you know our Derby training centre is currently undergoing a major renovation?

We’ll soon be unveiling our upgraded facilities, including modern classrooms, practical training facilities, brand-new delegate canteen and much more. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for further updates.

In the meantime, you can find out more about access to the centre and carpark here.

   31 May 2023         News

Last month Develop underwent an EQA (External Quality Assurance) visit from CABWI, a nationally recognised awarding body specialising in qualifications for the water and utilities industries. All of our Street Works courses are recognised through CABWI, as well as the majority of our Confined Spaces courses.

We’re delighted to say that the feedback was excellent, and we have included an excerpt from the assessment below:

Develop demonstrated: “High quality delivery over all qualifications using very experienced industry professionals, top quality IT systems and excellent management of all ongoing delivery programmes.”

Outstanding feedback for our CABWI accredited Street Works and Confined Spaces courses

We are proud to have received such a positive response from CABWI’s assessors, and we recognise that the quality of our provision has been kept at a particularly high level by our in-house quality assurance team.

Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is critical for maintaining the integrity of training and assessments within Develop. It’s a comprehensive process that monitors the teaching, learning and assessment activities of all our training programmes. Managed by Gary Fisher, the quality assurance team work to ensure that the quality or our training and assessment is always considered ‘outstanding’. This is done through ongoing internal quality assurance, observations, quality checks and meetings with all approving officials to ensure we stay ahead of the curve.

The dedication of the quality team, the love of what we do, and the ongoing hard work of all our trainers is what makes Develop continue to provide qualifications that are up to the highest standards. This means that employers and delegates can rest assured they’re getting the very best training and qualifications available on the market.

Quality Assurance at Develop Training

If you would like to find out more about our quality assurance team and the fantastic work that they do in not only monitoring the standards of Develop, but of training operations around the world, click here: https://www.developtraining.co.uk/quality-assurance-and-audit-team/

   30 May 2023         News

Lindsay Talks took center stage at the grand unveiling of Training Terrace in York last week. The highly anticipated reveal marked the official naming of the new fully to-scale artificial street built by Develop, with the winning entry from a public competition being “Training Terrace.”

Develop and JTL, who invested £500,000 into the construction of Training Terrace, along with CompEx, part of the JTL Group, organised the competition to find a suitable name for the street. The public had the opportunity to submit their suggestions from January 12th to February 28th. Ultimately, Shaun Gavin and Lindsay Talks emerged as the joint winners with their winning suggestion. Each received an equal share of £500 worth of Amazon gift vouchers.

Training Terrace; a fully to-scale artificial street

Situated adjacent to Develop’s training center in Huby, Training Terrace encompasses purpose-built houses, apartments, a café, and a confined spaces area. The street will serve as a hub for delivering a range of essential training programmes, including emergency response to gas incidents, excavation safety, cable avoidance, sewer jetting, and confined spaces entry.

A Name Chosen by Experts: Judging Panel’s Selection Process

The judging panel responsible for selecting the name consisted of senior members from across the JTL Group. They meticulously reviewed over 150 entries and eventually arrived at a shortlist of ten names, with “Training Terrace” standing out as the clear winner. The name is now immortalised on the street’s signage.

Exciting Developments Ahead: Training Terrace and Develop’s York Centre

The official opening of Training Terrace coincided with the grand reopening of Develop’s refurbished York centre. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as this innovative street becomes a prominent training destination.

   25 May 2023         News

We are thrilled to announce that Develop has reopened its York training centre to great excitement! The centre has undergone an impressive £500k full refurbishment, setting the stage for a new chapter of training excellence.

To complement the refurbished facility, Develop has also constructed a £500k state-of-the-art, fully to-scale, artificial street called Training Terrace, named via a recent public competition. This purpose-built street stands adjacent to the training centre, offering a realistic and fully to-scale environment for our training programmes.

Grand-Opening at Develop’s York-based training centre

The opening event took place on 24^th May at the Huby-based centre and involved a day of celebrations marked by an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Guests were also given tours of the centre’s newly refurbished facilities and Training Terrace.

Training Terrace looks and appears as a regular street would, consisting of houses, apartments, and a café, but each area has been specifically designed for training purposes. This allows Develop to deliver courses in emergency response to gas incidents, as well as excavation safety, cable avoidance, street lighting, drains, sewer jetting and confined spaces entry.

The centre has had several updates to include two fixed-learning classrooms, a hybrid centre catering for alternative energies, two HV workshops and an LV workshop. These workshops will offer a number of Develop’s courses, including those relevant to confined spaces, gas distribution, health and safety, healthcare estates and water systems.

Significantly improving training opportunities for the utilities industry

Northern Gas Networks worked alongside Develop, and have been instrumental in the development of the JETSET (Training Terrace). Paul Tate, Lead Emergency Trainer, Northern Gas Networks, attended the event and spoke on the panel. Paul said “The facilities including the new JETSET will significantly improve the training opportunities for the whole team at Northern Gas Networks and provide real life scenarios. It’s been a long-term project and it’s fantastic to see it come to life and now be used to enhance the training and development opportunities for not just Northern Gas but for the sector as whole”.

Enhanced training delivery in North Yorkshire & beyond

John Kerr, Managing Director at Develop, said: “This new state of the art facility will give us a fantastic base to deliver essential and enhanced training to businesses in North Yorkshire and beyond. We’re thrilled to unveil a centre that will work in tandem with Training Terrace, as this new street provides an innovative facility that we’re proud to operate from.”

“It was great to welcome attendees to join us for the celebrations and explore the new facilities. We now look forward to welcoming delegates from across the region to join us and experience the unrivalled training that we provide.”

Impressive financial investment

Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council Divisional Councillor for Huby, said: “It’s fantastic to see this new investment being made in the Huby area, and I believe this centre will be invaluable for training businesses and delegates in the region. The unique facilities that Training Terrace is able to offer will be an exciting, unique addition to the landscape of industry available here, and I look forward to seeing the new wave of professionals being produced in our area.”

Raising the bar for industry training

We are proud to offer this enhanced training experience at our York centre and adjacent Training Terrace. With these exceptional facilities, Develop remains dedicated to providing top-quality compliance, technical, and safety training to our valued clients. We will continue to raise the bar in the industries we work with and empower individuals with the skills they need to succeed.

To view the full range of courses available at our York training centre, download our Centre Capability Sheet.

   24 May 2023         News

We are delighted to announce that Noah Broadhurst-Barker has recently joined our dynamic administration team in Derby as a dedicated Product Development Apprentice. As a company that values growth and innovation, we are thrilled to have Noah on board, bringing fresh perspectives and a passion for excellence.

Noah comes to us straight from Loughborough College, where he successfully completed a Level 3 programme in Sports. His educational background, coupled with his enthusiasm for learning and professional development, make him a valuable addition to our team.

Noah’s role and responsibilities

Since joining Develop, Noah has seamlessly integrated into the Develop family, adapting quickly to our company’s values and work culture. In his role, Noah will play a vital part in ensuring that all our learning materials are kept up to date, as well as supporting the delivery team in creating new and exciting course products. Additionally, he will contribute to our ongoing efforts to transition our offerings onto our cutting-edge digital platform, optimising accessibility and convenience for our customers.

Beyond work: A passion for cricket

When Noah isn’t busy making strides in his professional career, he enjoys spending his leisure time playing cricket.

A warm welcome to Develop

We extend a warm welcome to Noah and look forward to witnessing his growth and accomplishments as a key member of Marisa Harris’ Administration Team.

More about Develop’s Derby training centre

Did you know our Derby training centre is currently undergoing a major renovation?

We’ll soon be unveiling our upgraded facilities, including modern classrooms, practical training facilities, brand-new delegate canteen and much more. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for further updates.

In the meantime, you can find out more about access to the centre and carpark here.

   23 May 2023         News

We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Harbour to Develop’s administration team at Swindon. As delegates and clients visit our Swindon Centre, they will have the pleasure of encountering Ryan, who will ensure a warm welcome and the smooth operation of our facility.

A wealth of customer-focused experience

Ryan brings with him a wealth of experience gained over the course of five years in various customer-focused roles. Prior to joining our team at Develop, he honed his skills as a customer service assistant at Card Factory and later took on a supervisory role at Jack Wills. Ryan’s commitment to growth led him to further develop his expertise as a line manager at Honda, all while pursuing a Motor Vehicles qualification at college.

Settling into Develop’s Swindon Centre with ease

“I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Develop’s Swindon Centre,” says Ryan. “The trainers have been incredibly supportive, making me feel right at home, and my fellow centre co-ordinators have been amazing in assisting me as I settle in and find my stride.”

A passion for fitness and football

Outside of work, Ryan finds joy in spending time with his faithful companion, Simba, his beloved dog. He is also an avid fitness enthusiast, proudly cheering on Liverpool FC as a lifelong fan and even lending his coaching expertise to a semi-professional under 14s football team. Ryan’s active lifestyle extends to the gym, where he maintains his fitness, and he also showcases his football skills as a player for Chippenham Town Academy. Travel is another passion of Ryan’s, as he has not one, but two trips planned to Greece this summer alone, in celebration of his 21st Birthday.

Ryan, we are delighted to have you as a valued member of our professional family. Your blend of dedication and positive energy is a fantastic addition to our team.

More about Develop’s Swindon training centre

Did you know our Swindon training centre has recently relocated to Unit 3 Richmond House, Edison Park?

Councillor Abdul Amin, Mayor of Swindon, said: “It is fantastic to see such a top-class facility in Swindon, it is a privilege to be able to officially open the centre and gain a greater understanding of the courses provided by Develop, who have operated in the area for over 10 years. Having this new state-of-the -art centre will create many new opportunities and I wish the whole team at Develop the best of luck for the future”. Read the full news release here.

You can find out more about our Swindon training centre and the courses it can facilitate by downloading our centre brochure or visiting our dedicated web page.

   10 May 2023         News

The winning entry to a public competition searching for the official name for the new fully to-scale artificial street built for Develop has been revealed as ‘Training Terrace’.

Following an investment of £500k from Develop and JTL into the construction of Training Terrace, the JTL Group, which consists of JTL, Develop and CompEx, ran a public competition to name the street from 12th January to 28th February. The name, Training Terrace, was submitted by both Shaun Gavin and Lindsay Talks who have each won an equal share of £500 worth of Amazon gift vouchers.

Located next to Develop’s York training centre in Huby, Training Terrace consists of purpose-built houses, apartments, a café, and a confined spaces area. From here it will deliver training in emergency response to gas incidents, as well as excavation safety, cable avoidance, sewer jetting and confined spaces entry.

The judging panel that selected the name was made up of senior members of staff across the JTL Group, who created a 10-name shortlist from over 150 entries before finally deciding on the winning name. Training Terrace will now be used in all communications regarding the street going forwards and immortalised in the area’s signage.

The street will officially open on Wednesday 24th May alongside Develop’s refurbished York centre. Watch this space for further updates.

   09 May 2023         News

Develop Training, one of the UK’s leading accredited providers of Compliance, Technical, and Safety training, is delighted to announce its attendance at Utility Week Live, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 16th and 17th May 2023.

The event promises to bring together bring together over 3,000 pan-utility professionals, 150 industry-leading speakers, and 200+ exhibitors including leading industry experts, suppliers, and professionals from across the Utilities and Construction, Defence, Healthcare, Facilities Management, and Telecommunication sectors.

Visit Develop on stand F2

Develop Training’s team of highly experienced professionals will be on hand on stand F2 at the event to showcase their expertise and provide visitors with insight into the latest developments in compliance, technical, and safety training. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Develop Training’s range of accredited training programmes and discuss their specific training needs with the team.

Book your free visitor pass for UWL

Visitors to the event are encouraged to book their free visitor pass and schedule some time to speak with Develop Training’s team to explore the potential benefits of their training programmes for their organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to gain valuable insights and network with like-minded professionals from across a wide variety of utility cross-sectors.

Connect with industry professionals

“Utility Week Live is an excellent opportunity for us to connect with industry professionals and share our knowledge and expertise. We take pride in delivering training that is tailored to each client’s specific requirements, and we are confident that visitors will benefit from speaking with our team and exploring how we can help them achieve their training goals.” said Nichola Kitching, Senior Account Manager for Develop Training.

“We invite all prospective visitors to book their free visitor pass and meet with our team on stand F2 to learn more about how we can help their organisation achieve its training goals.”

Nichola can be contacted directly on 07794 093474 or nichola.kitching@developtraining.co.uk

Learn from the experts at Utility Week Live

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to learn from the experts and explore the latest developments in compliance, technical, and safety training.

Book your free visitor pass today and connect with Develop Training’s team on stand F2 at Utility Week Live 2023.

   27 April 2023         News

Established in October 2021, Develop’s Quality Assurance and Audit (QAA) Team was designed with the direct objective of ensuring the highest level of quality possible was being delivered to Develop’s customers.

This strategic initiative was designed by Develop’s Head of Operations and Training, Matthew Gray, and built collaboratively through to implementation with Gary Fisher, a former instructor and the current Quality Assurance and Audit Manager. Matt and Gary assembled experienced individuals from multiple departments within Develop, and further individuals from outside the organisation.

Though initially designed to provide risk-based assurance, insight, and advice for Develop as it worked toward its strategic objectives, the QAA team’s work became such a recognisable success that Develop began offering their quality assurance services to external clients.

The QAA team credits their success to their ‘Three-Lines of Defence’ approach to quality assurance.

• Line one is the management of technical training and assessment.
• Line two is about using internal quality assurance to drive the quality of the delivery.
• Line three is about being an independent audit function able to provide an unbiased approach to quality assurance and drive continuous improvement.

The team now work with six Awarding Organisations providing Develop with the risk-based assurance of nineteen accredited schemes that cover 80 qualifications delivered to over 8000 learners every academic year.

One of the most recent success stories the QAA team has been involved in is the consultation work it is undertaking for its sister company CompEx. This involves an independent external quality assurance service ensuring CompEx’s approved training centres are meeting the quality requirements of the International Explosive Atmospheres Accreditation scheme. This requires the team traveling to not only UK centres, but also involves travel to European centres, and further afield to America, Asia, and the Far East.

This remarkable commitment to their duties and continued success culminated in the Quality Assurance team achieving the well-deserved title of ‘Team of the Year’, a coveted award given out to groups of staff with an exceptional performance over a 12-month period.

To make your own enquiry with the quality assurance team about conducting risk-based audits at your own company, please contact Develop Training on 0800 876 6708.

   19 April 2023         News

Develop Training are proud to welcome Charley King – who is joining Daniel Butcher’s Finance Team as a Finance Apprentice.

After Charley’s GCSE’s studies, she gained A level Qualification in Biology, Psychology and Criminology, deciding that attending University would not be her next steps. She went on to the position of Business Administrator Apprentice – were in this role she worked closely with the accountant and decided that accountancy was a career path she wanted to pursue.

In July 2022, Charley moved away from her hometown to Malvern, Worcestershire with her partner and obtained a Level 2 Accountancy Apprenticeship qualification. In her role, Charley assisted in account reconciliations in preparation of her team’s audit as well as developing training resources and material for operations.

Charley has recently moved back near her hometown and in her time away from work enjoys the opportunity to read and spend time adventuring with her partner and friends.

We are excited to have Charley joining the team, where she will be aiming to complete a Level 3 AAT, Association of Accounting Technicians Qualification.